Hebrews 9:2-4 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant

What was its significance? Rebellion of Korah God’s Confirmation of Aaron and the Levitical priesthood No more complaints

Rebellion of Korah: Numbers 16 Korah: the self-appointed leader Dathan/Abiram: his co-conspirators + 250 congregational leaders

Numbers 16:3 They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”

Numbers 16:4-7 So when Moses heard it, he fell on his face; 5 and he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, “Tomorrow morning the Lord will show who is His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to Him. That one whom He chooses He will cause to come near to Him. 6 Do this: Take censers, Korah and all your company;

Numbers 16:4-7 7put fire in them and put incense in them before the Lord tomorrow, and it shall be that the man whom the Lord chooses is the holy one. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!”

Numbers 16:8-10 Then Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: 9 Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; 10 and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also?

John Maxwell’s Remarks: The Self-Appointed Leader Cause others to rise up against existing leaders. Publically criticize and question existing leaders. Accuse leaders of what they are guilty of themselves. Despise their given position – always want more. Murmur, complain and create a negative atmosphere.

Numbers 16:16-19 And Moses said to Korah, “Tomorrow, you and all your company be present before the Lord—you and they, as well as Aaron. 17 Let each take his censer and put incense in it, and each of you bring his censer before the Lord, two hundred and fifty censers; both you and Aaron, each with his censer.”

Numbers 16:16-19 18 So every man took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense on it, and stood at the door of the tabernacle of meeting with Moses and Aaron. 19 And Korah gathered all the congregation against them at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation.

The Lord’s Reply Numbers 16:20-21 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 21 “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.”

The end of Korah, Dathan, & Abiram Numbers 16:29-30 If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord.”

Keep that which is holy Numbers 16:37-38  “Tell Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, to pick up the censers out of the blaze, for they are holy, and scatter the fire some distance away. 38 The censers of these men who sinned against their own souls, let them be made into hammered plates as a covering for the altar. Because they presented them before the Lord, therefore they are holy; and they shall be a sign to the children of Israel.”

Memorial of the covering Numbers 16:40 … to be a memorial to the children of Israel that no outsider, who is not a descendant of Aaron, should come near to offer incense before the Lord, that he might not become like Korah and his companions

Complaints continue….. Numbers 16:41  On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the Lord.”

Swift Judgement from God Numbers 16:44-45 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces.

Aaron stays the plague Numbers 17:46 So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense on it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the Lord. The plague has begun.”

He stood between the dead and the living The High Priest was divinely appointed to minister at God’s altar This 90-year old man ran into the midst of the assemble He saved the same people who had been against him moments before He literally stood between death and life 14,700 died in the plague

God’s Confirmation of Aaron 12 rods (tree limb, stick) chosen, one per tribe One name written on each rod The rod of the tribe of Levi was to have “AARON” written on it All 12 rods were placed in the Most Holy Place in front of the ark of the Covenant

Numbers 17:8 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds.

God exceeds expectations Spouted Buds Blossoms Almonds Ripe NO BAIT & SWITCH!! THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FOUND IN NATURE, THUS PROVING IT WAS GOD’S WILL.

Walk of Shame Numbers 17:9 Then Moses brought out all the rods from before the Lord to all the children of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod.

No More Complaints Numbers 17:10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Bring Aaron’s rod back before the Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put their complaints away from Me, lest they die.”

Who would see these items? Tablets of stone Pot of manna Aaron’s rod that budded Since they were in the Most Holy Place, they would serve as a memorial for God daily and the High Priest once a year.

No More Complaints Certainly, the complains from the children of Israel did not stop on this day. However, the murmuring would not be regarded by God. Murmurings would now be judged more harshly.

Conclusion The dead stick yielded forth life at God’s command The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ also shows how life can spring forth from death Isaiah 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

1 Corinthians 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.